With so many of us being tied to a desk all day, it’s difficult to find the time to get motivated and work out. In particular, many of the work-from-home folks are looking for more convenient alternatives to help juggle their unpredictable daily schedules and routines.
To help alleviate the work-life/fitness balance, we’ve put together a list of the best under-desk ellipticals, treadmill walking pads, and bike pedal cycles. For you multi-taskers out there, these recommendations are for you.
LifePro is quickly becoming a fitness industry leader, offering high-quality equipment at very reasonable prices.
If you’re tied to your desk, the FlexCycle is the perfect under desk bike pedal to help you get your blood flowing.
We love how versatile the FlexCycle is with 2 sets of pedals, one for your feet and one for your arms too! Alternatively, throw the foot pedals on and use the included resistance bands to target both arms and legs at the same time!
Compact in size, you can easily use the FlexCycle under your desk and then stow it almost anywhere when it’s not in use.
Features include:
- 8 Levels of resistance
- Non-slip grips and stabilizing bars that keep it in place
- 8 display options - including calories, speed, distance + more
- Lifetime Warranty included
The Cubii JR1 is the perfect under desk elliptical for those that don’t have a lot of room to work with.
Rated 4.7/5 stars on Amazon from almost 5000k reviewers pretty much says it all. many have remarked about it’s exceptional quality, innovative design, and excellent customer service.
If you suffer with achy, stiff joints that can’t handle a lot of resistance, the Cubii is designed to provide a very low impact experience to maximize comfort.
Features Include:
- 8 Levels of smooth glide resistance
- Whisper quiet operation to avoid distractions
- Built in LCD to track calories, strides, distance, and more
- Robust Facebook support group
The Goplus is an excellent option for those that need an under desk treadmill, but also want something with foldable arms for running.
Without the arms, the Goplus has a maximum speed of 1-4km/h. With the arms up, the maximum speed increases up to 12km/h.
With a 2.25hp motor, this under desk treadmill is both quiet and powerful enough to really get your heart pumping.
Overall, reviewers are extremely surprised by its overall footprint, commenting how small it is. With the arms down, you can slide it under a bed for out-of-sight storage.
Features Include:
- 2 modes for walking or running
- Spacious 40"x16" anti-slip walking tread
- Built in Bluetooth speakers to listen to your favorite music
- Included remote control for easy speed control
- Safety key for quick shutoff
While the Stamina InMotion under desk elliptical lacks many of the bells and whistles, it more than makes up for it in function.
Not only can you use the Stamina under a desk or while sitting, but you can also use it standing up! Unless you have great balance, you might want to make sure you have something to hold on to.
You can use the elliptical in either a forward or backward direction to target different muscle groups.
Features Include:
- Sitting or standing use
- LCD monitor for speed, stride, and distance
- Tension knob for variable intensity
- Steel construction for sturdiness
This ergonomic under desk bike pedal cycle is not only great looking, but highly functional too.
The ANCHEER comes with a power plug so it can be operated with an assist or manually. The assist mode has three programs while the Manual has 5 speeds.
The built-in LED display outputs your speeds, distance, calories burned and more.
Features Include:
- Assisted or Manual modes
- Easy to operate remote control
- Forward and reverse motion
- Extremely portable at only 17.5lbs and 18x14x10" Dimensions
The CITYSPORTS under-desk treadmill has all the features you would want in a portable setup.
With dual LED screens and stereo Bluetooth, the technology on this treadmill exceeds most of its competition.
The CITYSPORTS can handle weight up to 265lbs and has a maximum speed of 4mph. That may be a bit slower for some, so really consider your needs with this one.
Noise levels are kept to a minimum thanks to the 7 layer anti-slip running belt.
Features Include:
- Two workout modes: Walking and Running
- Stereo Bluetooth for improved sound
- Dual LED screens for more information at a glance
- Small overall footprint at 52.8 x 23.2 x 4.9 inches; 60.6 Pounds
Is Under Desk Workout Equipment Effective?
It’s estimated that on average, most adults sit about 13 hours a day. Add on another 5-8 hours of sleep and that amounts to 21 hours of little to no movement throughout the day!
To make things even worse, the majority of occupations held nowadays involve an extended amount of time sitting, making it nearly impossible to increase your daily activity.
Since people can’t make it to the gym because of work, many are bringing the gym to work with under-desk workout equipment. The question is, is it effective?
Based on one workplace study, under-desk treadmills had “a significantly favorable impact on both physical activity and work performance.”
Many more studies substantiate that claim and it should really come as no surprise. Increased movement has always been correlated to increased mood, productivity, and health.
Which Under Desk Exercise Is Best?
There’s no question, any activity is better than no activity at all. When it comes to purchasing under-desk exercise equipment, you’re probably wondering which is the best for you, right?
Here are a few things to consider:
Under Desk Treadmill Pros and Cons
The under-desk treadmill is a great option for its full-body movement. Unlike the elliptical or bike pedal cycle, a treadmill requires you to walk in a natural motion under gravity. It’s the most natural of the three options that’s for sure, but it’s not without its trade-offs.
Working at a desk while trying to maintain balance and coordination might pose a problem for some.
Ask yourself: Could you safely and accurately do your work while in constant forward motion?
The thought of leisurely walking while working may sound pretty remarkable, imagine how it might interfere with your day-to-day tasks too. Typing, writing, or reading might prove to be extra difficult while moving. Again, things to consider if you’re going the under-desk treadmill route.
Under Desk Elliptical and Bike Pedal Cycle Pros and Cons
We grouped these two together because fundamentally, their movement pattern is very similar and both require you to be in the seated position to perform.
We think for the majority, using an under-the-desk elliptical or cycle will be a much better and viable alternative.
Unlike a treadmill, the office space required is much less and will readily fit under most desks or workstations. For that reason alone, your employer might be more inclined to allow one.
Also, because they have adjustable resistance, you might be more apt to use one for the benefit of reduced joint discomfort.
Final Thoughts
We understand, that working out at your desk is not the ideal scenario. We hate to say it, but sometimes you have to make do with what you’re dealt.
In this case, if you’re now confined to working from home or glued to a desk all day, creative solutions like under-desk exercise equipment may be your best option.
Under-desk treadmills, ellipticals, and bike pedals generally come in at a very affordable price and can offer a nice distraction throughout a grueling day at the office.
For more exercise equipment or recovery devices, be sure to check out all of our posts on cold plunges, massage guns, vibration plates, foam rollers, and kettlebells.
Editor-In-Chief at Recovatech. Dr. Ben is a board-certified Doctor of Chiropractic with over 10 years of clinical experience. He specializes in structural and neurological imbalances with an emphasis on functional movement patterns, exercise performance, and muscle recovery. He has been the team chiropractor for professional baseball and soccer organizations, as well as collegiate athletes. In his personal life, he’s always been driven when it comes to athletics and personal performance.